Aim To investigate the effects of tamoxifen on the proliferation and DNA synthesis of cultured human pituitary adenoma cells and make a further investigation of the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen on the proliferation of pituitary adenoma cells. Methods The techniques of MTT colorimetry, 3H-TdR, flow cytometry, PKC activity detection and cAMP/ cGMP levels detection were used to detect or observe the effects of tamoxifen on proliferation, DNA synthesis, cell cycle, PKC activity and cAMP/ cGMP levels of cultured human pituitary adenoma cells, respectively.Results ①Tamoxifen (0.1,1 and 10 ?mol?L -1) inhibited the proliferation and DNA synthesis of cultured human pituitary adenoma cells in a dose-dependent manner.② tamoxifen (1,10 and 20 ?mol?L -1) increased the ratio of G_1 phase of pituitary adenoma cells, and decreased the ratio of S and G_2 phase markedly;②compared with control, PMA, a PKC activator, increased the activity of membrane and total PKC in human pituitary adenoma cells. However, after a 15-min treatment with tamoxifen (10 ?mol?L -1),a significant reduction of the activity of cytoplasm, membrane and total PKC in human pituitary adenoma cells was observed;③tamoxifen (1 and 10 ?mol?L -1) increased the amount of cAMP in the cytoplasm of human pituitary adenoma cells, but had no effect on that of cGMP. Conclusion These data provide an important clue to explore the molecular mechanisms of the inhibitory effect of tamoxifen on the proliferation of pituitary adenoma cells, and suggest that the modulating effect of tamoxifen on the proliferation of pituitary adenoma cells results from interactions of several cellular signaling pathways.

Objective To analyze the effects of puerperium pelvic floor muscle training on pelvic floor muscle strength and its clinical significance. Methods One hundred postpartum women were included, with full-term singleton pregnancies and with complete follow-up records from Obstetrics Department of Peking University First Hospital between March 1, 2013 and October 31, 2013. Women with vaginal birth and cesarean birth commenced pelvic floor muscle training twice a day from 24 and 72 h after delivery, respectively. According to the different training frequencies, the subjects were divided into three groups: never-training group, occasional-training group (<6 times per week) and regular-training group (≥6 times per week). All patients received pelvic floor muscle strength measurement 6-8 weeks after parturition. And the strength of type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ pelvic floor muscle fiber was divided into 0, Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴgrade. The abnormal strength of typeⅠand typeⅡpelvic floor muscle fiber standed for the grades lower thanⅢ. We compared the general conditions, delivery modes and abnormal ratio of type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ pelvic floor muscle fiber among the three groups, analyzed the relativity between the level of pelvic floor muscle fiber strength and pelvic floor muscle training frequency, and analyzed the influential factors of pelvic floor muscle fiber strength. Statistical analyses were performed by one-way ANOVA, rank-sum test, Pearson χ2 test, Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test, Nemenyi test, Spearman rank correlation analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results There was no statistical difference in age, gestation at delivery, parity, body mass index before delivery, neonatal birth weight and delivery mode among the never-training group (21 cases), occasional-training group (30 cases) and regular-training group (49 cases) (all P > 0.05). There was no statistical difference in labor time of first, second and total stage and episiotomy rate among the vaginal birth cases of the three groups. The abnormal ratio of type Ⅰ muscle fiber strength among the three groups was 100% (21/21), 77% (23/30) and 6% (3/49), respectively, while that of type Ⅱ muscle fiber strength was 100% (21/21), 53% (16/30) and 20% (10/49), respectively. And there were significant statistical differences among the three groups (F=119.16 and 77.84, both P<0.01). Spearman rank correlation analysis indicated that the level of typeⅠand typeⅡmuscle fiber strength had a significant positive correlation with pelvic floor muscle training frequency (r=0.88 and 0.79, both P<0.01). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that pelvic floor muscle training was an influential factor for pelvic floor muscle strength level (95%CI:0.000-0.193, P<0.01). Conclusions Puerperium pelvic floor muscle training can help enhance the tension force of pelvic floor muscle, might benefiting the postpartum recovery of pelvic floor muscle function.

A high-performance liquid chromatography method of pre-column derivatization with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5 -pyrazolone (PMP) has been established for determination of 6 kinds of monosaccharides simultaneously. A special Agilent HC-C18 column (4. 6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm), optimized for the separation of PMP derivatives, was used at ambient temperature of 40 degrees C. The PMP derivatives elution was performed with a mixture of 0.1 mol x L(-1) phosphate buffer (pH 6. 8) and acetonitrile in a ratio of 84: 16 at a flow rate of 1 mL x min(-1), and UV absorbance of the effluent was monitored at 245 nm. The results showed that the polysaccharides from exopleura of Ginkgo biloba were acidic heteropolysaccharides mainly containing mannose, rhamnose, D-galacturonic acid, glucose, galactose, arabinose, with the molar ratio of 0.032: 0.14: 0.296: 0.403:0.106: 0.046.
Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Hydrolysis ; Monosaccharides ; analysis ; Plant Components, Aerial ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry

This study was aimed to establish a method for simultaneous determination of seven anions and organic acids in Huo-Xue Tong-Luo (HXTL) injection by HPCE. With tartaric acid as the internal standard, separation was performed on an uncoated fused silica capillary (50 μm × 64. 5 cm, 56 cm of effective length). The 14 mmol·L-1 potassium acid phthalate and 0.1 mmol·L-1 hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride were selected for the running buffer solution (pH 5.6). The separation voltage was -16 kV. The detection wavelength was set at 210 nm. The column temperature was maintained at 25 ℃ . The sample was injected at 50 mbar×4 s. The results showed that
calibration curves of chloride ion, sulfuric acid root ion, formate ions, malic acid, succinic acid, iodate ion and acetic acid ions showed good linear relationship 41.4-248.2 μg·mL-1 (r = 0.999 3), 12.5-74.8 μg·mL-1 (r = 0.999 8), 18.2-109.1 μg·mL-1 (r = 0.999 8), 20.3-121.6 μg·mL-1 (r = 0.999 5), 17.2-103.1 μg·mL-1 (r=0.999 1), 17.6-105.6μg·mL-1 (r=0.999 6), 51.6-309.6μg·mL-1 (r=0.999 7), respectively. The average recoveries were 102.6%, 97.3%, 102.2%, 99.0%, 99.2%, 97.8%, and 103.4%, respectively. The RSD were 1.7%, 2.0%, 1.6%, 2.6%, 2.1%, 2.9%, and 1.0%, respectively (n = 6). It was concluded that the method was accurate and reproducible. It was suitable for the determination of anions and organic acids in HXTL injection.

Objective To observe pathological features of peripheral vessel injury caused by ex-plosion shock wave so as to provide theoretical basis for emergency treatment, prevention and complication reduction of war extremity injuries. Methods A total of 18 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (six rabbits in each group) and placed respectively at 1, 2 and 3 m away from the explosion cen-ter. The animal model with blast injury was made by using fluid dynamite that electrically exploded at 60 cm above the ground. The physical parameters of blast wave were recorded using pressure transducers (PCB, UAS). After explosion, the femoral arteries were examined grossly, histologically and immunohis-tochemically. Results The results showed that vascular endothelial cells were denudated, the spaces of contractile fiber cells increased and appeared puff, the vassular elastic fibers ruptured, flexed and de-formed visibly. Some parts of the vessel wall ruptured completely or partly, leading to bleeding. TUNEL staining and fluorescence microscope found large number of apoptotic cells in endothelium layer, smooth muscle layer and membrana adventitia layer of the blood vessels. Conclusion Explosion shock wave can result in severe large blood vessel injury, which should be paid much attention during treatment of ex-plosion shock injury.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo Recipe (WYHZTLR) on the proportion of T helper 17 cells (Thl7)/regulatory T cells (Treg), and serum levels of IL-17 and IL-10 in peripheral blood of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with yang qi insufficiency and turbidity induced collaterals blockage syndrome (YQITICBS).

METHODSTotally 82 SSc patients were randomly assigned to the Western medicine group (as the control group) and the integrated Chinese and Western medicine group (as the treatment group), 41 cases in each group. All patients took methotrexate (MTX) tablet and prednisone tablet. Patients in the treatment group additionally took WYHZTLR. The treatment course for all was six consecutive months. Besides, another 70 healthy volunteers were recruited as a healthy control group (as the healthy group). Percentages of Th17 and Treg in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-17, IL-10, von Willebrand factor (vWF), aminoterminal propeptide of type l procollagen (PIIINP), and cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen ( I CTP) were measured by double antibody sandwich ELISA. The correlations between Th17/Treg and levels of vWF, PIIINP, I CTP, skin score, and disease activity index were observed by Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe percentage of Th17 in peripheral blood, ratios of Th17/Treg, and the serum level of IL-17 were significantly higher, but the percentage of Treg and the serum level of IL-10 were significantly lower in SSc patients, when compared with those of the healthy group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the same group before treatment, the percentage of Thl7, ratios of Thl7/Treg, and levels of IL-17, vWF, and PIIINP all decreased in the two groups after treatment (P <0.05, P <0.01), but the percentage of Treg and the IL-10 level increased (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Meanwhile,the level of I CTP was higher in the treatment group after treatment (P <0. 05). The improvement of all indices except the percentage of Th17 was more obvious in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). The ratio of Th17/Treg was positively correlated with levels of vWF, PIIINP, skin score, and disease activity index before and after treatment respectively (P <0. 01), but with no obvious correlation with the level of I CTP (P >0. 05).

CONCLUSIONWYHZTLR could achieve its therapeutic effect on SSc patients by regulating Th17/Treg imbalance, lowering levels of vWF and PIIINP, and elevating the level of I CTP.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-17 ; Methotrexate ; Peptide Fragments ; Procollagen ; Scleroderma, Systemic ; drug therapy ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Th17 Cells

To explore a new method to identify Moutan Cortex to guarantee its safe use, internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequence was used to identify Moutan Cortex and its adulterants. DNA was extracted and target fragments were amplified. Sequences were analyzed and assembled by CodonCode Aligner V3.7.1. Genetic distances were computed and phylogenetic tree was constructed based on kimura 2-parameter (K2P) model by MEGA 5.0. The length of the 20 ITS2 sequences of Moutan Cortex from nine different places is 227 bp, and no variation site was detected. The maximum inter-specificK2P distance of Moutan Cortex is 0, the minimum intra-specific K2P distance is 0.041, the average intra-specific K2P distance is 0.222. According to NJ analysis, Moutan Cortex from different places can get together as one branch with bootstrap support values 99%, which indicates Moutan Cortex can be easily distinguished from its adulterants. Using ITS2 sequence can accurately identify Moutan Cortex and its adulterants, it is an effective supplementary to traditional identification methods.
Base Sequence ; China ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; classification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Paeonia ; classification ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo systematically evaluate the quality of Semen Armeniacae Amarum.

METHODThe amygdalin content in the samples of Semen Armeniacae Amarum from different markets was analysed by HPLC. Some physical and chemical tests were done to investigate their quality.

RESULTSome significant differences in amygdalin contents and some physical and chemical parameters were shown between the crude drugs and the processed ones. There are few changes in amygdalin contents with the storage in 17 years.

CONCLUSIONThe processing conditions are the main factors that affect the quality of Semen Armeniacae Amarum. Furthermore, a systematic evaluation of the quality of its samples from the different markets has been established by a radar diagram based on the following five parameters: amygdalin contents, the lipid content, ethanol-soluble extract, total ash and acid-insoluble ash.

Amygdalin ; analysis ; Hot Temperature ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Prunus ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Cardiac Catheterization ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; therapy ; Humans ; Prosthesis Implantation ; instrumentation ; Septal Occluder Device

OBJECTIVETo observe the histological and ultrastructural changes of the skin and hair follicles following hair removal by alexandrite laser in Tibet mini-pigs.

METHODSTwelve healthy Tibet mini-pigs with dark hair were treated with alexandrite laser for hair removal. The skin specimens were taken immediately and at 1 h and 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 days after the laser treatment for observation under optical and transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSLaser hair removal resulted in extensive coagulation necrosis, carbonization and falling of the subcutaneous hair shafts, and some of the cells in the outer root sheath and hair bulb underwent degenerative and necrotic changes. One hour after laser treatment, the cells in the outer root sheath and bulb exhibited nuclear condensation, fragmentation and or karyolysis characteristic of cell apoptosis. The cell apoptosis reached the peak level on day 3 after the laser exposure, accompanied by endothelial degeneration in the hair papilla vessels, edema and lymphocyte infiltration in the dermal tissues. Tissue reaction and inflammation were relieved on day 5, and the dermal tissue and follicles recovered their normal structures on day 10. At 60 days after the treatment, the hair follicles decreased markedly but the structure of the residue follicles remained normal.

CONCLUSIONAlexandrite laser exposure results in selective destruction of the follicles by inducing direct coagulation and cell apoptosis to achieve permanent hair removal. Tibet mini-pigs with black hair can be used as the animal model of clinical laser hair removal.

Animals ; Hair Follicle ; radiation effects ; ultrastructure ; Hair Removal ; methods ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Swine ; Tibet